Al Zapanta of Irving (left) and Admiral Patrick Walsh (right) present the 2013 Allies of Freedom Award European Theatre to Sgt. Robert Bearden at the Daughters of WW II luncheon on Veterans Day.

Staff photo by DEBORAH FLECK

Irving’s number of World War II veterans is dwindling since many are now in their 90s. Yet a fair number are doing fine, such as James Brown, Eugene Hodges, Bill Hooten Sr., Bob Moffatt and John Willis. To honor their service and all those who served, the Daughters of World War II holds an annual luncheon on Veterans Day. The 2013 Heroes Among Us event drew more than 350 WW II veterans and their guests to the Hilton Anatole. Scott Murray served as master of ceremonies.

Al Zapanta of Irving, a Vietnam War veteran, and Admiral Patrick Walsh presented the Allies of Freedom award to two veterans: Robert Bearden, European theater, and James Hardwick, Pacific theater.

The keynote speaker was Lt. Gen. Lawrence Snowden, a Marine veteran with more than 37 years of military service.

The annual luncheon benefits the Wings of Freedom Initiative, a program offered by the Daughters of WWII that brings veterans back to the battlefields where they fought. Next year’s trip will mark the 70th anniversary of the storming of Normandy. To learn more, visit daughtersofww2.org.

America’s Future Series

Another event honoring the military is America’s Future Series, a Dallas-based program that features industry leaders speaking about issues relating to the economy, energy, environment, education, health care and national security. To date, the series has raised more than $2 million for causes nationwide.

Held at the DoubleTree Campbell Centre in Dallas, this year’s program included the presentation of the 5-Star Award to three executives: David Seaton, CEO of Irving-based Fluor; Joe DePinto, CEO of 7-11; and Joe Robles, chairman general of USAA.

The three recipients and T. Boone Pickens participated in a discussion about national security and the economy moderated by Traci Merzi of the Dallas Business Journal.

Admiral Patrick Walsh presented the Megellas Military Leader of the Year award to Clint Bruce, founder of Carry the Load, a nonprofit that honors the fallen on Memorial Day weekend. Bruce gave a heartfelt speech about his values and mission.

Other speakers included George P. Bush, Jesus Delgado-Jenkins and Nancy Lieberman.

Irving Chamber president Chris Wallace attended, along with other chamber staffers. Funds raised benefit the T. Boone Pickens Military Mentors Program established by Irving-based Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Association of the U.S. Army North Texas Chapter. Visit americasfs.org.

A Night of Light

A nonprofit that helps Irving students was one of several award recipients at the 13th annual A Night of Light, a fundraiser that benefits the Center for Nonprofit Management. Steve Blow of The Dallas Morning News served as master of ceremonies.

The Nonprofit of the Year Award went to Communities in Schools Dallas Region, a nonprofit that provides one-on-one mentoring to keep students in school. It serves 12 schools in the Irving ISD, and its president and CEO, Sandra Chavarria, lives in Irving.

Other awards went to Coppell-based The Container Store, Corporation of the Year; the Dallas Tennis Association, Community Choice Award; Prison Entrepreneurship Program, Nonprofit Communicator of the Year in Honor of Robert Miller Award; Sally Crawford of the Richardson Symphony Orchestra, Nonprofit Board Leader of the Year; and Lynn M. Davis of Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center, Nonprofit CEO of the Year.

Co-chairs of the event were Ambassador Ron Kirk and Matrice Ellis-Kirk. Since the fundraiser started, it has given $345,000 to 69 agencies and individuals. Visit cnmconnect.org.

Community columnist Deborah Fleck covers Irving and other communities for The Dallas Morning News.